Norfolk teams fail to build on promising starts in County Week games

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire. Will Davies (Norfolk).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

After the second round of doubles at Cromer the men were in a commanding position at 4-2 against Yorkshire while the ladies were holding their own at 3-3 against Warwickshire at Eastbourne.

But from mid afternoon onwards Norfolk could not win another match, with both teams suffering in the heat as the men lost 5-4 and the ladies 6-3.

The men had beaten Surrey in the decisive rubber on Tuesday but the tables were turned this time around as Richard Bloomfield and Kris Jenkins were beaten in a third set tie-break to crush hopes of pushing for promotion.

Skipper Nicky Crawley said: 'The boys are devastated to say the least. From the position we were in this is a bitter pill to swallow'.

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire. Tom Fisher (Norfolk).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

It was difficult for the ladies who only had six fit players to call upon but there were some positives. Maddie Brooks and Emily Barrett won two of their three matches and could be a key pair for years to come while Frances Evans and Sam Noble came back from 2-4 down in the third to win Norfolk's other point 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Both sides have matches against Kent today.

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire. Tom Fisher (Norfolk).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire. Will Davies (Norfolk).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire. Richard Bloomfield (Norfolk).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire. Richard Bloomfield (Norfolk).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire. Kris Jenkins (Norfolk).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk v Yorkshire. Daniel Wynne (Norfolk).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Tennis Summer County Cup at Cromer Tennis and Squash Club. Norfolk team. Back left to right, Richard Bloomfield, Jonny Wynne, Jack Long-Martinez, Daniel Wynne, Alex McNaughton. Front left to right, Kris Jenkins, Nicky Crawley, Tom Fisher and Will Davies.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)